Sorry for the lack of communications. Between power issues (daily), scheduling, and slow internet...it has been challenging to post stuff.
Chris, Christa, and family - as well as Audra and my 2 girls arrived. My heart was very glad when they did.
I think everyone has many of the same thoughts when they first arrive - and these thoughts all tend toward, "Wow! This is overwhelming." When the little ones (2-4 year olds) come out to play there are about 65 kids running around. Nearly all of them would love to be held - or to play with your hair. Some of them are mischievous, some are dripping with sweetness, and some are a bit shy. Each one is somehow unique.
The older kids too have such distinct personalities. From flirtatious to shy; from comic relief to industrious. We have enjoyed being with all of them.
Yesterday Chris, Jake, Zach, Josh, Moses, and I worked to pour a concrete slab. This slab is where the new generator will reside. This is a larger generator than the current one and will allow the entire home to have power when the electricity goes out.
On Friday, Chris and I shared with some local pastors and church leaders about unity and being sent. It was a good time in the Lord.
Sydney and Rebecca have been busy playing with the kids in all sorts of ways. Sydney has also been helping out in the classroom. Zach continues to hone his soccer skills with the older boys and has been giving out water to the community on many days. Audra has done a little of everything - from helping out with the infants (probably her favorite) to playing with toddlers and spending time in the classroom with the older kids.
I do have Malaria. I have had three shots now (which is all of them). The shots don't hurt and the Malaria symptoms were relatively mild. But the side-effects of the shots are a bit painful. There is a price to be paid.
More to come. Please continue to pray for us - especially health - but also that we would finish strong and allow God to change us.
Blessings,
Mark
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Paying the price and some encouragement!
First off, let me apologize for the relatively infrequent posts. But…in my defense, we have had power for about 14 hours over the past 72. What are you going to do?
The big news of the day is that several team members have malaria. Thankfully, most of them do not yet have any symptoms and the treatment has already begun. Thus the symptoms should be very mild.
We went to church Sunday with Pastor George. This was a great time of worship with this small community. It is our sincere hope that they were encouraged.
Saturday we gave out new shoes to about 30 kids. We really enjoyed this chance to bless them.
Saturday was also June birthday day. We had cake and ice cream. And they even recognized Zach as having a June birthday.
Tomorrow, most of the first team heads home. Please pray for them as they do. Matt, Lisetta, and Ryan all head to Dubai and then to Houston. Monica, her kids, and Caroline will all stay for a couple of days in Dubai (thanks Stolesons) and head to Austin on Thursday.
Zach and I are excited to see our family who arrive tomorrow. Please continue to pray for us. We will visit a prison on Thursday and possibly do some leadership training on Friday.
Blessings,
Mark
The big news of the day is that several team members have malaria. Thankfully, most of them do not yet have any symptoms and the treatment has already begun. Thus the symptoms should be very mild.
We went to church Sunday with Pastor George. This was a great time of worship with this small community. It is our sincere hope that they were encouraged.
Saturday we gave out new shoes to about 30 kids. We really enjoyed this chance to bless them.
Saturday was also June birthday day. We had cake and ice cream. And they even recognized Zach as having a June birthday.
Tomorrow, most of the first team heads home. Please pray for them as they do. Matt, Lisetta, and Ryan all head to Dubai and then to Houston. Monica, her kids, and Caroline will all stay for a couple of days in Dubai (thanks Stolesons) and head to Austin on Thursday.
Zach and I are excited to see our family who arrive tomorrow. Please continue to pray for us. We will visit a prison on Thursday and possibly do some leadership training on Friday.
Blessings,
Mark
Friday, June 10, 2011
What a day! Although it was a little different than the past 2 days, today was awesome!
Matt, Sarah, and Caroline went with 2 children to the hospital. The kids were being tested for TB. One has it and the other does not. Matt was frustrated by what appeared to be a fairly indifferent attitude on the part of the doctors at the hospital.
While they were at the hospital, Ryan, Lissetta, Zach, and Caleb helped clean the room where the 102 kids eat meals (this is quite a job!!). Then they got to test each of beds of the kids being potty trained to see which of the sheets had a “yellow surprise.” Serving others is not always convenient. After this, Zach and Caleb dispensed the water to the community for about 2 hours, while Lissetta played with some of the infants.
Monica, Joshua, and Diana all worked throughout the morning with the school-aged kids in the classroom. They worked in the older classroom that has about 12 students. But these students were in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The teacher’s name is also Monica and she does a great job!! Monica mentioned that this was such a joy!
I worked this morning to replace the screens on the infant play area. After Ryan finished inside, he helped me.
After lunch, Carla, Matt, Ryan, Lissetta and myself all went to Pastor George’s house. I met Pastor George last year and sensed so powerfully that the Spirit of the Lord was ruling His heart. It has been my hope and desire that to serve with him when we came and the Lord has orchestrated just that. We had a short devotion over 1 Samuel 10 and 13 – where Saul fails to obey the Lord by waiting on Samuel. We shared how each of us has had to wait on the Lord.
The stories of some of the people are nothing short of inspiring! We were all encouraged to wait on the Lord even under what might feel like extreme circumstances. One woman had triplets – beautiful children. But, in her husband’s tribe, multiple births are considered a curse. So her husband abandoned her. Her father told her she could keep the one girl but need to kill the 2 boys, because the curse would flow through them. She was faced with being completely abandoned or killing her children. She even contemplated suicide. But in the end she chose to wait on the Lord. And He has provided for her.
She is not wealthy. In fact she is poor by every standard, except the one that matters: she is rich in the Lord. And how does this wealth demonstrate itself? She goes out and ministers to other women who are caught in similar situations – powerless to free themselves from unjust, cruel, harsh realities – nearly always at the hands of the men in their life. She is like the old woman Jesus saw putting her two coins into the offering bowl. All she has she gives away – knowing Jesus will provide Himself and everything she needs. Wealthy people spend their wealth. People who are wealthy in Jesus spend themselves on behalf of others for His glory! This women exemplifies this wealth!!
There were 5 more stories just as powerful – stories of God searching throughout the whole Earth for someone through whom He might show Himself to be powerful and good! Each of them is choosing to wait on the Lord. And two things we were reminded of are: 1.) in light of our enemy and the flesh waiting ion the Lord is not easy; 2.) in light of God’s greatness and goodness, waiting on Him is right, good, wise, and the only path to life.
And I am once again amazed by God’s ability and willingness to prepare hearts for His revelation. He literally put the message of waiting and the 1 Samuel passage on my heart as we sat down in Pastor’s house. Not only that, but of all people on the trip we have Monica - who has quadruplets! This was such a testimony to the Kenyan woman. her babies are not a curse but rather - in the Lord they are a blessing!! Nothing is impossible for God!
As we were returning it began to pour rain. This was serious rain. My guess is that in 1 hour of rain we got about 1.5 inches (sorry ATX).
Sometimes it is easy to forget that we are half way around the world from home. But as one of the women in the small group meeting today reminded us – this is not our home!
Tomorrow we celebrate the June birthdays. Cake and ice cream!! Sunday morning we will go to church with Pastor George’s community. Please pray for this time – that the Lord would speak through Matt or I and that the Spirit would have His way with each of us. Also, please continue to ray for team unity – especially the humility tat comes as the Spirit breaks us over our subtle, yet powerful self-centeredness.
I end with this encouragement: trust God!! He is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine – to the glory of Jesus!!
Blessings,
Mark
Matt, Sarah, and Caroline went with 2 children to the hospital. The kids were being tested for TB. One has it and the other does not. Matt was frustrated by what appeared to be a fairly indifferent attitude on the part of the doctors at the hospital.
While they were at the hospital, Ryan, Lissetta, Zach, and Caleb helped clean the room where the 102 kids eat meals (this is quite a job!!). Then they got to test each of beds of the kids being potty trained to see which of the sheets had a “yellow surprise.” Serving others is not always convenient. After this, Zach and Caleb dispensed the water to the community for about 2 hours, while Lissetta played with some of the infants.
Monica, Joshua, and Diana all worked throughout the morning with the school-aged kids in the classroom. They worked in the older classroom that has about 12 students. But these students were in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The teacher’s name is also Monica and she does a great job!! Monica mentioned that this was such a joy!
I worked this morning to replace the screens on the infant play area. After Ryan finished inside, he helped me.
After lunch, Carla, Matt, Ryan, Lissetta and myself all went to Pastor George’s house. I met Pastor George last year and sensed so powerfully that the Spirit of the Lord was ruling His heart. It has been my hope and desire that to serve with him when we came and the Lord has orchestrated just that. We had a short devotion over 1 Samuel 10 and 13 – where Saul fails to obey the Lord by waiting on Samuel. We shared how each of us has had to wait on the Lord.
The stories of some of the people are nothing short of inspiring! We were all encouraged to wait on the Lord even under what might feel like extreme circumstances. One woman had triplets – beautiful children. But, in her husband’s tribe, multiple births are considered a curse. So her husband abandoned her. Her father told her she could keep the one girl but need to kill the 2 boys, because the curse would flow through them. She was faced with being completely abandoned or killing her children. She even contemplated suicide. But in the end she chose to wait on the Lord. And He has provided for her.
She is not wealthy. In fact she is poor by every standard, except the one that matters: she is rich in the Lord. And how does this wealth demonstrate itself? She goes out and ministers to other women who are caught in similar situations – powerless to free themselves from unjust, cruel, harsh realities – nearly always at the hands of the men in their life. She is like the old woman Jesus saw putting her two coins into the offering bowl. All she has she gives away – knowing Jesus will provide Himself and everything she needs. Wealthy people spend their wealth. People who are wealthy in Jesus spend themselves on behalf of others for His glory! This women exemplifies this wealth!!
There were 5 more stories just as powerful – stories of God searching throughout the whole Earth for someone through whom He might show Himself to be powerful and good! Each of them is choosing to wait on the Lord. And two things we were reminded of are: 1.) in light of our enemy and the flesh waiting ion the Lord is not easy; 2.) in light of God’s greatness and goodness, waiting on Him is right, good, wise, and the only path to life.
And I am once again amazed by God’s ability and willingness to prepare hearts for His revelation. He literally put the message of waiting and the 1 Samuel passage on my heart as we sat down in Pastor’s house. Not only that, but of all people on the trip we have Monica - who has quadruplets! This was such a testimony to the Kenyan woman. her babies are not a curse but rather - in the Lord they are a blessing!! Nothing is impossible for God!
As we were returning it began to pour rain. This was serious rain. My guess is that in 1 hour of rain we got about 1.5 inches (sorry ATX).
Sometimes it is easy to forget that we are half way around the world from home. But as one of the women in the small group meeting today reminded us – this is not our home!
Tomorrow we celebrate the June birthdays. Cake and ice cream!! Sunday morning we will go to church with Pastor George’s community. Please pray for this time – that the Lord would speak through Matt or I and that the Spirit would have His way with each of us. Also, please continue to ray for team unity – especially the humility tat comes as the Spirit breaks us over our subtle, yet powerful self-centeredness.
I end with this encouragement: trust God!! He is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine – to the glory of Jesus!!
Blessings,
Mark
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
In Kitale!!
Well, it is 2:00 am here and I am wide-awake. No better time than now to write about how things are going.
First, thanks for praying. We are convinced that it is not only important but also effective with regards to the Lord’s will being accomplished in and through us.
We all arrived safely and in good spirits – even if relatively tired. Yesterday was the first full day here for the entire team. Several of us started the day off with a 6:30 a.m. run – and felt the thinner air burning our lungs. Zach did a great job of leading us out though. It was humbling to see some young (about 5 or 6 years-old) Kenyan boys running barefoot right past us with incredible ease. But the smile on their faces was one of joy and not arrogance.
Right after breakfast we spent about 2.5 hours playing with the approximate 70 kids who are aged 2 weeks to 4 years old. Before we started we knew we had to ditch about 90% of our plans for a VBS-type week with these kids. They are too young, too many, and do not know enough English yet. So we simply sang some songs, played some games, did some coloring, and then played. By 10:30 (a.m. lol) most of us were fairly tired.
Starting at 10:30, I got to be the water dispenser. Each day from 9:00-12:00 the orphanage gives out free water to the community. This is a huge ministry here and they give out over 100,000 liters per day. I was reminded of Jesus’ teaching about the sheep and goats – and the righteous wondering when they gave Jesus some water...
After lunch and some rest, we went with the gardener and 2 other workers and dug potatoes for about 2 hours. By the time we were through, we were tired. Zach, Josh, and Caleb played soccer with the older kids while we dug potatoes. But the gardeners wanted to teach these 3 young men how to swing a “jimbay” - which is like a cross between a hoe and a shovel. So the gardeners had them help plow up some land for a new garden. Watching these men work we understood how they could consume about 3,000 calories a day and still be incredibly lean.
There are so many stories to tell you. Like Cindy’s story, who had severe burns on her head from an oil lamp that fell on her. She had to have skin grafts, but since her head keeps growing the grafts keep splitting. So, she will have to have more grafts. Currently the orphanage has only temporary custody of her so they were supposed to have a court hearing about gaining permanent custody, but the judge did not show up. Next week they guess…
I helped Jeff later in the afternoon repair a dehydrator box. This a “natural” dehydrator – i.e. the sun provides the energy – that they use to dehydrate a lot of vegetables. James, a kid with mental and physical handicaps, also helped us. He is quite a joy. Plus he has great rhythm and loves to dance and sing.
Tomorrow we will try to do some Truth-telling with the older kids, play a lot with the younger ones, and work on some small projects (re-screening to infant play area and start building a wash-room). One thing I said yesterday was that if you we ever to really need a hug, this is a great place to be because the kids just line up to be held. It would be easy to get 1,000 hugs a day!
Please pray for our physical energy. I know the enemy will try using our tiredness against us. Also, please pray for us to abide in Jesus. As we do, we know we will treat each other with more kindness and be more in tune with what the Father is doing here.
Blessings,
Mark
P.S. It took me 20 minutes to type/write this and 45 minutes to upload it. So...there will be only a few:)
First, thanks for praying. We are convinced that it is not only important but also effective with regards to the Lord’s will being accomplished in and through us.
We all arrived safely and in good spirits – even if relatively tired. Yesterday was the first full day here for the entire team. Several of us started the day off with a 6:30 a.m. run – and felt the thinner air burning our lungs. Zach did a great job of leading us out though. It was humbling to see some young (about 5 or 6 years-old) Kenyan boys running barefoot right past us with incredible ease. But the smile on their faces was one of joy and not arrogance.
Right after breakfast we spent about 2.5 hours playing with the approximate 70 kids who are aged 2 weeks to 4 years old. Before we started we knew we had to ditch about 90% of our plans for a VBS-type week with these kids. They are too young, too many, and do not know enough English yet. So we simply sang some songs, played some games, did some coloring, and then played. By 10:30 (a.m. lol) most of us were fairly tired.
Starting at 10:30, I got to be the water dispenser. Each day from 9:00-12:00 the orphanage gives out free water to the community. This is a huge ministry here and they give out over 100,000 liters per day. I was reminded of Jesus’ teaching about the sheep and goats – and the righteous wondering when they gave Jesus some water...
After lunch and some rest, we went with the gardener and 2 other workers and dug potatoes for about 2 hours. By the time we were through, we were tired. Zach, Josh, and Caleb played soccer with the older kids while we dug potatoes. But the gardeners wanted to teach these 3 young men how to swing a “jimbay” - which is like a cross between a hoe and a shovel. So the gardeners had them help plow up some land for a new garden. Watching these men work we understood how they could consume about 3,000 calories a day and still be incredibly lean.
There are so many stories to tell you. Like Cindy’s story, who had severe burns on her head from an oil lamp that fell on her. She had to have skin grafts, but since her head keeps growing the grafts keep splitting. So, she will have to have more grafts. Currently the orphanage has only temporary custody of her so they were supposed to have a court hearing about gaining permanent custody, but the judge did not show up. Next week they guess…
I helped Jeff later in the afternoon repair a dehydrator box. This a “natural” dehydrator – i.e. the sun provides the energy – that they use to dehydrate a lot of vegetables. James, a kid with mental and physical handicaps, also helped us. He is quite a joy. Plus he has great rhythm and loves to dance and sing.
Tomorrow we will try to do some Truth-telling with the older kids, play a lot with the younger ones, and work on some small projects (re-screening to infant play area and start building a wash-room). One thing I said yesterday was that if you we ever to really need a hug, this is a great place to be because the kids just line up to be held. It would be easy to get 1,000 hugs a day!
Please pray for our physical energy. I know the enemy will try using our tiredness against us. Also, please pray for us to abide in Jesus. As we do, we know we will treat each other with more kindness and be more in tune with what the Father is doing here.
Blessings,
Mark
P.S. It took me 20 minutes to type/write this and 45 minutes to upload it. So...there will be only a few:)
Monday, June 6, 2011
A day in Nairobi
We (7 of us) spent the day in Nairobi. Monica, Joshua, Diana, Sarah, and Caleb went to visit the World Vision headquarters for Kenya as well as two girls that are sponsored by family members. They said the day was awesome. They were humbled by the lack of earthly possessions held by the families of the sponsored children and grateful to be a part of their lives. Plus they had a great, authentic, Kenyan meal - complete with no utensils!! (I love eating with my hands.)
Zach and I spent the day with my friend and local pastor, Austin. We visited the new school that his wife Jerusa has started as a part of their church. We also visited several pastors I met at last year's conference. It was a good day to catch up.
Tonight we will get a good sleep and then get up early to head to the airport and Kitale!
Thanks for praying - please continue. Pray especially that we would feast on the bread of life!!
Blessings,
Mark
Zach and I spent the day with my friend and local pastor, Austin. We visited the new school that his wife Jerusa has started as a part of their church. We also visited several pastors I met at last year's conference. It was a good day to catch up.
Tonight we will get a good sleep and then get up early to head to the airport and Kitale!
Thanks for praying - please continue. Pray especially that we would feast on the bread of life!!
Blessings,
Mark
We Are Here - Sort of...
Well we made it to Nairobi. Four team members are headed to Kitale this morning while 7 of us stay here in Nairobi. The Gelinas' are going to visit two World Vision programs while Zach and I are going to visit with a Padtor friend here in Nairobi. Then tomorrow wee all head to Kitale to join up with the others.
All is well and our bodies are adjusting - but we are tired.
More later!
Blessings
Mark
All is well and our bodies are adjusting - but we are tired.
More later!
Blessings
Mark
Saturday, June 4, 2011
We're Off!
Good morning! It is 5:30 and we are getting ready to leave (at least 8 of us are). We are excited and hopeful. As you pray for us, please pray that we would experience/encounter Jesus throughout the trip. In other words, please pray that we would abide in Him.
I am so thankful for your partnership on this trip!!
Blessings,
Mark
I am so thankful for your partnership on this trip!!
Blessings,
Mark
Friday, June 3, 2011
Good News!!
Hey Team - good news! Caroline got a temporary passport today and will be joining us to Kenya. Praise Jesus - and thanks for praying!
Three team members left today and 8 of us leave tomorrow morning. Thanks for praying throughout the trip. Please especially keep before the throne of grace the following:
spiritual power and protection;
Walking in the Spirit;
Spirit-led Unity;
A demonstration of the Spirit's power and the glory of Jesus among those who do not yet believe;
physical health.
Thanks so very much!!
Blessings, - Mark
Three team members left today and 8 of us leave tomorrow morning. Thanks for praying throughout the trip. Please especially keep before the throne of grace the following:
spiritual power and protection;
Walking in the Spirit;
Spirit-led Unity;
A demonstration of the Spirit's power and the glory of Jesus among those who do not yet believe;
physical health.
Thanks so very much!!
Blessings, - Mark
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Passport Issues
As some of you know, Caroline has not been able to get a passport yet. On the one hand this seems so very ridiculous to me - like the spiritual forces of evil arrayed against us in the form of the US government. On the other hand, I want to trust only and always in Jesus - that He is good and sovereign and intimately involved.
I wonder what you think when you run up against what feels like a stone wall blocking your path - a path you were fairly certain God put you on? How does this work?
My only hope is to walk in the Spirit and trust Him.
Please pray for all of us to rest in Him.
Blessings - Mark
I wonder what you think when you run up against what feels like a stone wall blocking your path - a path you were fairly certain God put you on? How does this work?
My only hope is to walk in the Spirit and trust Him.
Please pray for all of us to rest in Him.
Blessings - Mark
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Nearly at Launch Date
Hey Team,
It is nearly "go time" for the 2011 Kenya trip. As we near the first team's departure date (June 3rd for Matt, Ryan, and Lissetta - June 4th for Caroline, Mark, Zach, Monica, Caleb, Sarah, Diana, and Joshua) please continue to pray for us. Caroline still needs her passport; traveling that far is challenging for the mind, body and heart; we have an enemy who seeks to destroy the work of God and to take us captive. So, thanks in advance for praying.
I will be trying to post updates here daily or every other day, but internet speed and availability are different in Kenya. So bear with me.
As you pray, please pray the truth that Jesus is the bread of life into our hearts. I so long to feast on Him and our team needs for Jesus alone to be our life. Plus, the Kenyans need Him, not us.
Thanks for being a part of the team!!
Mark
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